Andre Villas-Boas has said that it is time for Fernando Torres to start scoring goals for Chelsea.

Torres, who signed for Chelsea from Liverpool earlier this year in a record £50m move, has scored just five goals in 35 appearances for the Blues.

"For me, it's indifferent who puts it in the net," Villas-Boas said. "I always decide for the benefit of the team. I just want Chelsea to be top of league as soon as possible.

"But any player wearing the number nine on his back lives for goal. Fernando and Didier [Drogba] can tell you exactly that.

"Strikers are the most selfish people in the world, and rightly so because they put ball in the net."

Villas-Boas denied reports that surfaced this week suggesting that Chelsea are willing to sell Torres for around £20m, and instead says that it is time for Torres to find his feet in front of the net.

"Finding the back of the net is important for any striker. It has had a major impact on Didier's run. Fernando will have to be the same," Villas-Boas added.

"Fernando will come back to his best. We are confident of that. This is a talent that's never in doubt, but it is related to motivation. We have to be patient and turn it round.

"But it is only something that comes from self-confidence, motivation and hitting the back of the net. By motivation, I mean the feeling of putting the ball in the net more often."

Chelsea are currently third in the Premier League with 31 points from 15 games.